Web controller



May 19, 1936. T. H. GROZIER I WEB CONTROLLER Filed March 10, .1933 4 Sheets-Sheet l May 19, 1936. T. H. GROZIER WEB CONTROLLER Filed March 10. 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IHHHIIMlllllllllllllllllllllllll VIII mllilllllllll Illlllllllll u xx E. g FWQQ \N .u

y 1936- T. 'H. GROZIER 2,041,602

WEB CQNTROLL-ER Filed March 10. 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May is, laid rarest OFFECE was coN'raoLLen Thomas Hamilton Grozier, Sydney,

New South Wales, Australia Application March 10,

1933, Serial No. 660,328.

In Australia March 2d, 1932 15 Claims.

This invention chiefly relates to, improvements in printing machines and especially refers to improved apparatus for automatically governing or controlling register and web-tension in pre- 5 viously printed or premarked rolls, of materials and more particularly for the synchronous unwinding and insetting thereof in connection with high speed rotary web printing, folding, cutting and assembling or the like machines havto ing the same or lesser speeds.

My invention has been devised principally for use upon high speed rotary web perfecting presses which are employed in the production of newspapers, magazines, periodicals and the like, wherein several webs of paper (hereinafter called main webs) are simultaneously and separately printed upon, brought together and thereafter slit and folded into a batch of sheets which constitute a newspaper or book.

In rotary web printing presses of the abovenamed. character which usually operate at linear speeds of the paper webs in excess of 200 feet per minute, it will be readily understood that when the whole of the plate and impression cylinders are substantially of the same circumferential dimensions and. are all positively coupled with each other by suitable gearing the proper register of individual or different main paper webs will be maintained. If, however, a previous- 30 lyprinted web of paper (hereinafter termed the inset web) possessing the same or difierent characteristics as to quality of paper and/or printing is required to be run into the product of a rotary web printing press so as to combine 35 with an ultimately form part of its delivered production, it has hitherto not been possible to maintain registeras between the inset web and the main webs, printed in the rotary web printing press, by mechanism of simple and inexpensive construction that functions precisely and synchronously with the main driving members of the said press.

Under the most suitable and best conditions of operation, it is found that creep of the insert web in either a forward or backward direction takes place. Being accumulative, the register of the inset web with the main webs which was correct at the commencement of operations-very r soon becomes lost and the errors in register are often intensified by certain fluctuations of the tensions of the various webs at different periods of printing.

Moreover, shrinkage and/or stretch set up in the inset web by the difference of atmospheric conditions prevailing at the time of pre-printing said web and of its final association with the main webs not infrequently afiects adversely the register of the said inset web. Furthermore, variation in the smoothness or quality of the paper, or slip occasioned by improper adjustments of the paper-roll brake, or between the inset feeding-rollers, which draw the inset web into and through the machine towards the point of its association and assembly with the main webs issuing from the rotary printing press, are all factors which more or less cause creep of the inset web and upset the correctness of its register. This invention is also adapted for application to multi-colour printing machines (normally operating at moderate speeds) wherein one side of the paper is printed and the web re-wound into a roll, which may afterwards be run in, cut into sheet form, printed on the reverse side, and then associated with the main webs of a rotary press or, alternatively, delivered in sheet formation at the delivery end of a multi-colour print ing or like machine. My invention may also be employed, in efiecting correct register between a first printing on one side of a continuous paper web and a second or subsequent printing upon the same side or the reverse side ofthe same web, or for otherwise registering a plurality of webs printed, or being printed and running toward folding, cutting, or assembling, or the like me.- chines.

,The invention, in addition to maintaining cor rect register of a rare-printed inset web in relation to other main webs, is further adapted to maintain correct tension in such a web. Moreover, it will maintain correct register and. tension with high efficiency of pre-printed inset webs and/or unprinted webs consisting of perforated paper, water rnarl: paper, or papers marked in other ways; or of similarly marked or perforated rolls of other materials in web form wherein said marks or perforations are usually disposed at regular intervals or spacings along the length thereof. a

Many efiorts have already been made to provide means capable of effecting the requisite correct register, during the printing of a newspaper, between an inset web and the several main webs of a newspaper, such means ranging from simple hand-operated mechanisms to automatic mechanical, electric, and/or pneumatic control devices. It is recognized by those who are familiar with modern high-speed rotary web printing press operations that it is generally unsatlsfac tory or impracticable to use manually operated means for correcting the register of an inset web 55 on rotary printing presses operating at web speeds exceeding 200 linear feet per minute. Hand-operated means entail loss of time and waste of the product, and rectification'is made by trial and error or manual-inspection which is regarded as being an impracticable method of operation or procedure when applied to high speed machines. Although manually operated register correction means are unsuitable for use with high-speed rotary printing presses they may, nevertheless, be successfully applied to printing presses operating at speeds less than 200 feet per minute and in which extreme accuracy of register in the delivered production is not essential.

In the case of automatic electric and/or pneumatic and combination mechanical means designed to effect register-correction, it is well known to those versed in the art of printing that these devices have hitherto comprised highly complicated and ultra-delicate mechanisms which, although capable of effecting the necessary register-corrections in the inset web in a more or less satisfactory manner, are nevertheless costly to produce, to install, to operate, and to maintain.

In existing register-correction means, designers have recognized the necessity for the use of an independent infinitely variable speed feedingroller drive because of the inequalities that inevitably occur on the main printing press cylinders from time to time, such as are caused by changes in thicknesses of the press-blankets and/or plates or plate-underlays. They have, therefore, been compelled to use some form of variable speed-transmission and/or positively infinitely variable gear to serve as compensating variable speed means and, furthermore, have then proceeded to also make the same act as interdependent variable speed means for register-correction by causing the said variable speed transmission to variably depart or fluctuate from the regularly synchronized press and inset feeding-roller drive speeds, and to increase or decrease the variable speed transmission speeds as and when indicated by the resultant register errors. In such manner the inset feeding-roller speeds are made to change frequently and are thus, more or less, always out of step with-the synchronous press drive speeds and/or main press-produced webs which are under the influence of the main press drive.

The present invention has been designed to neutralize the aforesaid eccentric or fluctuating variable speed-oscillations and to more closely or exactly synchronize the inset feeding-roller speeds with the main press drive speeds. Further features of this invention are the pro-vision of infinitely variable speed means only for pre-setting the inset feeding-roller drive ratio with that of the main press so as to ensure a synchronized speed drive of the inset feeding-rollers (regardlessof circumferential changes in the printing cylinders) and of register-correction means which are entirely independent of the aforesaid infinitely variable pre-set speed means.

I have found by experiment that, when a preprinted inset web (having shrunk during or after the printing thereof) is unwound from the roll or reel, a natural rearward creeping movement of the signatures of the printed matter connmences, and that such creeping continues regu larlyfthroughout the unwinding operations. In consequence of thisphenomenon of natural rearward'creeping,, it is impossible to control the regner as to have the same ister of the inset web by ordinary means provided in an orthodox rotary web printing press, or in the existing register correction means already referred to, except by resort to punched holes made at regularly spaced intervals on the inset web. On the other hand, if the pre-printed inset web has stretched during or after the printing thereof, a natural forward creeping movement of the signatures will be evidenced in similar aforesaid manner.

Moreover, on account of the necessarily haphazard hand-brake methods of reel control employed in' conjunction with existing register correction mechanisms, it is impossible to prevent the inset web getting out of register control and oscillating more or less in alternate forward or backward directions. Such movements are, however, distinct from the natural rearward or forward creeping movements hereinbefore referred to.

It is therefore usual for the inset web to fluctuate between the natural phenomenon of rearward or forward permanent creeping occurring during its unwinding from the reel or paper-roll as above described, and also erratic alternating backward and forward movements caused by improper control of the hand-operated reel brake. I have found that such natural rearward or forward creeping (caused by shrinkage and/or stretch in the pre-printed inset web) and also erratic alternating movements due to incorrect web-tension and paper-roll braking, are the main causes of incorrect register of an inset web, and I have given them respectively the names of backwardation and forwardation.

To obviate incessant and alternating oscillative backwardation and forwardation of an erraticcharacter is one of the principal objects of my invention. I have discovered that such erratic backwardation and forwardation can be largely remedied by voperatively connecting the reel bar or paper-roll spindle carrying the preprinted roll with the insetting mechanism in such manner that the reel bar or paper-roll spindle is synchronously driven with the printing cylinders and other parts of the press. Moreover, I have found that by effecting a combination of automatic web-tension and paper reel brake control, together with the variable principles of the paper reel itself, mechanical means are provided which will ensure the registration of an inset web with the product of a rotary printing press operating at low, medium, or high speeds under variable conditions. Furthermore, on further investigationI have found that the aforesaid erratic alternating or oscillative backwardation and/or forwardation can be even better eliminated by the use of an automatic brake applied to the paper-roll spindle or reel bar and adapted to co-act with combined register and web-tension governing mans and register correction means controlling the action of inset feeding-rollers which are driven by the press mechanism and are synchronized with the printing, cutting and folding cylinders in such mansurface velocity as said cylinders. The register correction means combined with the register and web-tension governing means under the control of the photo-electric means, hereinafter referred to, are adapted to advance the inset feeding-rollers relatively to the printing and other cylinders, if the inset Web should lag behindthe main webs.

On the other hand, if the inset web should creep ahead of the main webs, the register: coraoereoa rection means combined with the register and web-tension governing means under the influence of the photo-electric means is adapted to retard the inset feeding-rollers relative to said printing and other cylinders. The variations in the tension of the inset web caused by the advancing or retarding of the feeding-rollers are at once compensated for by the automatic brake mechanism which correspondingly varies the brake pressure on. the reel bar or paper-roll spindle. By the use of such coacting automatic braking and register and web-tension governing means and register correction means, I have found that correct register of the inset web with the main webs can be automatically maintained with maximum efiiciency and a minimum of operative frequencies.

Briefly stated, the objects of the present invention reside, inter alia, in the provision of the following:

(a) Improved apparatus, including web-tension controlling means and an electro-magnetically and web-actuated register governor, adapted to automatically maintain correct tension and register of a previously printed or marked inset web when the same is being run into and combined with the regular product of a modern high speed rotary web perfecting press.

(b) Automatic web-tension controlling means and an automatic electro-magnetically and webactuated register governor of simple and relatively inexpensive construction, which can be incorporated in rotary web printing presses or like machines during manufacture, or applied to such presses or machines as are already installed and in regular use.

(c l Automatic web-tension controlling means and an automatic electro-magnetically and webactuated register governor which are specially adapted for (but are not restricted to) high speed rotary web printing presses normally operating at speeds in excess of 200 feet per minute, and which are exceedingly emcient for maintaining the correct tension and running register of an inset web with maximum precision at the highest known speeds of newspaper production.

((1) A brake on a reel bar or paper-roll spindle carrying a pro-printed or marked roll, said brake being automatically controlled by the tension of the pre-printed paper web being unwound from the said roll and inset and associated with another web or other webs being freshly printed, and then out and folded in the rotary web printing press. I

(e) Automatic electro-magnetically and webac'tuated register governing means associated with inset feeding or drawing rollers, which are positively inter-connected by gearing with the printing cylinders of a rotary Web, printing press and have the same surface speed as said cylinders, said governing means being adapted to advance or retard the inset feeding-roller bodies to maintain correct register of a pre-printed inset web with another web or other webs being freshly printed, and then cut and folded in the rotary web printing press.

(f) Photo-electric detection means in combination with synchronized timing means and automatic electro-magnetically and web-actuated register governing means, said photo-electric detection means being adapted to detect errors in the register of the pre-printed inset web at the moment of their inception and to transmit electrical impulses to the said synchronized timing means and thereby to said governing means to momentarily advance or retard the said inset web to counteract or correct the errors in the register of said inset web. 7

(9) Means for projecting a beam of light onto or through a travelling pre-printed or otherwise marked inset web or in the path of register indication marks or perforations on said web, photoelectric means positioned adiacently to the travelling web and adapted to intercept the beam of light after the same has impinged on or penetrated the travelling web, an amplifying and relaying circuit associated with the photo-electric means, synchronized timing means connected with the amplifying and relaying circuit and synchronized with the printing cylinders and general mechanism of the printing press, feedingrollers for the inset web having the same surface velocity as the printing cylinders, and electromagnetically and web-actuated register governing means synchronously driven with the inset feeding-rollers and connected with the said timing means and adapted when energized by an amplified and relayed electrical impulse transmitted by the photo-electric means to advance or retard the inset feeding-roller bodies to maintain correct register of said inset web.

(72) An improved automatic register governor synchronously driven with and by the press or other main machine mechanism and including an infinitely variable adjustable coupling connecting inset web feeding-roller bodies with the said main machine mechanism, said infinitely variable adjustable coupling being automatically adjustable to advance or retard the inset feeding-roller bodies relatively to the press mechanism to maintain correct register of the inset web.

(2') An improved automatic register governor in which all movements and adjustments are of a rotative character, whereby said governor is.

adapted to operate efiiciently at the highest known speeds of newspaper production.

(7') An improved automatic register governor synchronously driven with and by the press or other main machine mechanism and connected with inset web feeding-roller bodies, and an inmeans which are co-active in maintaining correct register in the inset web.

My invention is fundamentally based on preventive means, supplemented by corrective means, whilst existing register-correction means are not preventive in any way, but are wholly or merely corrective to a certain degree or extent and are thus limited to relatively low operative efficiencies; coupled with comparatively high costs of manufacture, installation, operation and maintenance. My invention also provides means whereby the present necessity of non-synchronous Speeds in relation to the inset feedingroller drive and main drives of the press are now dispensed with. The invention also combines the use of a selenium-bridge or photo-electric means for the instantaneous, accurate and precise detectlon of register errors indicated by the slightest displacement from their normal positions of small regularly spaced, printed and/or more or less opaque or transparent marginal marks and/or perforations in the inset web. such displacements of the marks or perforations being adapted to render active the selenium-bridge or photo-electric means to operatively control the aforesaid register governing and register correction means without the use of extraneous inde-' pendent or interdependent non-synchronous control media of a complex character.

In some instances, especially when constructional cost is of primary importance and when machine speeds are relatively low and definite acciiracy of register is not essential, register and web-tension governing means may be dispensed with and my register correction means may be tion as applied to a rotary web printing press or like machine.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken onthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a. sectional plan of the automatic register governor gearing. i

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section of a detail of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view'of photo-electric detection means, an amplifying and relay circuit, and the timing meansassociated with the photoelectric means and with the automatic register governor gearing.

Fig. 8 is an end view of alternative electromagnets for controlling the automatic register governor gearing.

Fig. 9 is a plan view illustrating an alternative form of automatic register governor gearing.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic end view of Fig. 9'

showing the solenoids and associated parts of said alternative form of automatic register governor gearing. v

Figrll is a side elevation of re-winding apparatus suitable for use in conjunction with the invention.

Reference being made initially to Figs. 1 to 8 of the drawings which illustrate a preferred form of my invention, the numeral [indicates a roll consisting of a web W of pre-printed or water mark paper or like material having opaque and/or transparent marks and/or perforations disposed at regular intervals throughout the length thereof, which web is wound upon a reel bar or paperroll spindle 2 supported in bearings 3 fitted in side frames 3 and 5 which may form or become part of a rotary web printing press.

For the purpose of regulating the tension of the paper web W, while said web is being drawn from the roll I and passed through the printing press, there is fixed to the reel bar or spindle 2 abrake drum 5a upon the periphery, of which bear oppositely positioned brake shoes 6 and 1. The brake shoes 6 and I are mounted on arms or levers 8 and 9 which are fulcrumed on pivots l8 and II respectively.

The lever 9 is provided with an arm or extension l2, which is bent upwardly and contacts near its upper end with a cam roll l3 carried on a shaft 6. The arm I2 is maintained in contact with the cam roll l3 by a spring l5, one end of which is attached to said arm while the opposite end of .said spring is connected to a hook l8 fixed in the brake lever 8.

The. shaft I4 is pivotally mounted in the side frames 4 and 5 and it is provided with spaced parallel arms l1, disposed on opposite sides of the web W and supporting a floating roller l8, which bears upon and maintains the tension of the web W, and is hereinafter termed the compensating tension roller. Mounted in a convenient position on the shaft [4 is a rod or lever l 9, the longer arm 29 of which carries an adjustable counterweight 2|, while the shorter arm 22 is connected to the plunger 23 of a dashpot 24 fixed to the side frame 4.

The web W is drawn from the roll I and passes over a compensating or spring roller 25 and a guide roller 26, thence beneath the compensating tension roller l8 and over a guide roller 21. From the guide 2l,the webWpasses around and between inter-geared inset feeding-rollers or drawingrollers .28 and 29, and is then directed by guide rollers 30 and 3| to subsequently become inset and associated at the former roll of the folder with themther web or'webs then being freshly printed in the press. The web W is preferably made to wrap around large peripheral portions of the inset feeding-rollers 28 and 29 for the purpose of eliminating slip and maintaining the maximum control in governing correct register of the inset web.

The feeding-rollers or drawing-rollers 28 and 29, which may be of any preferred diameter, are nevertheless diametrically and circumferentially proportioned to correspond with the ratio of the printing cylinders of the rotary web perfecting press printing the main product of the newspaper with which the pre-printed inset web W is to be associated and assembled at the folding( cutting, and delivering section of the machine. The feeding-rollers 28 and 29 are in close contact with each other and are positively geared together to rotate at the same speed, but in opposite directions by equal spur gears 32 and 33, see Fig. 2.

The feeding-rollers 28 and 29 are supported by transverse shafts 34 and 35, and'said feedingrollers are positively connected with and are driven by the mechanism of the press. In thus connecting and driving the feeding-rollers 28 and 29, a shaft 36, which is positively driven by the press mechanism, carries a bevel gear 31 that meshes with a bevel gear 38 mounted on a transverse shaft 39.

Fixed to the bevel gear 38 is a chain belt pulley 40 which is operatively connected with an expanding chain belt pulley 4| (of conventional type such as shown, for example, in Patent No. 598,107,

2 issued February 1, 1898), fast on the shaft 34 by a fixed to the shaft 34.

The shaft 36 is so connected with the press mechanism, and the bevel gears 31 and 38 and the variable speed chain belt pulleys 40 and 4| (or the fixed speed bevel gears 44, 45 and 46) are so designed and proportioned that the surface or peripheral speed of the feeding-rollers 28 and 29 is exactly equal to the surface or peripheral 'speed of the printing cylinders (not shown) of the main press or like main mechanisms.

The bevel gear 31 may be loosely mounted on the shaft 36, and said gear may be provided with a clutch element 4'! adapted for engagement with a co-acting clutch element 98 slidably and nonturnably mounted on the shaft 36. Accordingly, the slidable clutch element 98 may be engaged with or disengaged from the clutch element 91 to enable the bevel gear 3'! to drive the feedingrollers 26 and 29or to stop said rollers, as and when required.

The shaft 36 is journaled at one end in a bushing 49 fixed in the side frame t, and the opposite end of said shaft extends through and is free to turn in a sleeve 59, which is rotatably mounted in a concentric bushing 5i fixed in the side frame 5, see Fig. 2.

The feeding-roller 28 is fitted at one end with a bushing 52 which is free to rotate on the shaft 34, and said feeding-roller at its opposite end is securely fixed to the sleeve 50 in any preferred manner. In one method of securing the sleeve 59 to the feeding-roller 28, said feeding-roller may be provided with a hub 28a into which said sleeve is tightly fitted and is non-turnably secured by a key or feather 28b and a set-screw 280, see Fig. 5. Accordingly, it will be understood that the feeding-roller 28 is not fixed to the shaft 34, but is free to turn thereon in the manner hereinafter described. The other feeding-roller 29 is fixed to the shaft 35, which is rotatably mounted in bushings in the side frames 9 and 5 as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

The feeding-rollers 28 and 29 at all times rotate together, being constrained so to do by the equal spur gears 32 and 33. Moreover, any advancing of retarding movement imparted to the roller 28 will also be transmitted by the gears 32 and 33 to the feeding-roller 29, as will be readily understood.

The shaft 34 is extended through and projects a required distance from the outer side of the side frame 5, and its outer end is supported in a sleeve 53 which is rotatably mounted in a frame 59 rigidly secured to the side frame 5.

The sleeve 53 is co-axially aligned with the sleeve 59, and said sleeves 59 and 53 form lateral extensions or hubs of a hollow structure or casing 55. Thehollow structure or casing 55 may be of cylindrical form, and it may be constructed in one piece or casting having sleeves 50- and 53 formed integrally with it, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. Alternatively, the said hollow structure or casing may be made in similar or dissimilar sections, or in halves, which may be fixed together, as by bolts or other suitable fastenings. Again, the said structure or casing may be made as an open frame as hereinafter described or it may be constructed in other approved manner. The hollow structure or casing 55 is rigidly connected by the sleeve 59 to the feeding-roller 28 so that said feeding-roller, the hollow structure or casing 55 and the sleeves 50 and 53 arecapable of rotation about the shaft 34. Moreover, any turning movement in forward or backward direction that is imparted to the structure or casing 55 will be transmitted by the sleeve 59 to the roller 28 and accordingly to the roller 29.

Situated within the casing 55 and rigidly fitted by a key 56a or otherwise nonturnably secured to the shaft 34 is a worm Wheel 56 engaged by a worm 51. The worm 51 is provided at its opposite ends with co-axially aligned journal shafts 56, which extend through and are rotatably mounted in bearing supports 59 fixed to or integrally formed with the casing 55. The shafts 58 are of somewhat less diameter than the worm 51 so that the latter is provided with shoulders 69 which contactwith the bearing supports 59. The bearing supports 59 prevent endwise movement of the worm 51, and said supports form abutments for thrust imparted to said worm by the worm wheel 56.

The worm wheel 56 and worm 51 are of selflocking variety so that the worm wheel 56 is incapable of rotating the worm 51, although the said worm itself may be rotated. Moreover, as

the Worm wheel 56 is rigidly fixed to the shaft M, which is connected as previously described to the driving mechanism of the, press, the worm 57 cannot rotate the worm wheel, 56. Accordingly, if the worm 51 be rotated it will travel around the periphery of the worm wheel 56 and it will carry with it the bearing supports 59, casing 55, and'therewith the feeding-roller 28, which feeding-roller will by the gears 32 and 33 correspondingly rotate the feeding-roller 29 in the required direction, either to advance or retard said feeding-rollers 28 and 29.

The worm wheel 56, 'worm 51 and the bearing supports 59 form a positive driving connection between the shaft 39 and the casing 55 and accordingly between said shaft 34 and the feeding-roller 28, which feeding-roller is rigidly connected to said casing 55 by the sleeve 59. Moreover, the worm wheel 56 and worm 51 form in effect aninfinitely variable adjustable coupling whereby the casing 55 and theroller 28 may be rotated more or less about the shaft 34. Thus, by turning the worm 51 in one direction the easing 55 and the feeding-roller 28 may be moved in the direction of rotation of the shaft 39 or advanced, while rotation of the worm 57 in the opposite direction will cause said casing and said feeding-roller to be retarded relatively to said shaft. As the shaft 34 is positively geared with 40 the printing cylinders and other portions of the press mechanism, advancement or retardation of the feeding-roller 28 and the feeding-roller 29 geared with said feeding-roller 28 will also take place relatively to said printing cylinders and other portions of the press mechanism, but the synchronous speed of the shaft 39 will remain unaffected by such movements of the feedingrollers 28 and 29.

Accordingly, if the inset web W should lag behind the main web or Webs being freshly printed and/or cut and folded, said inset web may be advanced and set in correct register with the other main web or webs by appropriate rotation of the worm 51 and consequent advancing of the feeding-rollers 28 and 29. On the other hand, if the web W should creep ahead of the main web or webs being printed and/or cut and folded, rotation of the worm 51 in the opposite direction will retard the'feeding-rollers 28 and 29 sufiiciently to restore the correct register.

Fixed securely to the co-axially aligned shafts 58 of the worm 57 are bevel gears 6|, with which are meshed bevel gears 62 fixed to spindles 63 and 64 extending transversely across and rotatably mounted in the casing 55. The spindles 63 and 64 project laterally from the sides of the casing 55 and their outer ends are provided with means, hereinafter described, whereby said spindles may be rotated more or less at certain times.

Fixed in or formed integrally with the casing 55 and positioned oppositely to the worm 51 is a counterweight 55a of sufficient magnitude to balance said worm 51, the bearing supports .axis of the shaft 34.

It is mostly and generally desirable to provideco-operative register detection means. For this purpose a photo-electric cell 65 or like device and an exciting lamp 66 are fixed in a convenient position near the inset web W, preferably on the delivery side of the feeding-rollers 28 and 29, as, for example, between the guide rollers 30 and 3|. The exciting lamp 66 is mounted in conjunction with a suitable optical device 67, and said lamp and optical device are adapted to throw a beam of light upon the inset web W in the path of a series of regularly spaced opaqueprinted marks, semi-transparent water marks, transparent perforations, or other opaque, semi-transparent, or transparent indicating marks, all of which are indicated by the letter M made in or on said web, and preferably located on the centre margin of the inset web. The said indicating marks represented by M are of greater opacity or transparency and have less or more reflective power (as the case may be) than the parts of the web W extending between said indicating marks. The photo-electric cell 65 and the exciting lamp 66 may be positioned on" the same side as, or on opposite sides of, the travelling inset web W- see Fig. 1.

When the photo-electric cell and the exciting lamp are located on the same side as the travelling web W, the beam of light, after reflection from the said web W, impinges upon thephotoelectric'cell 65 and said beam owing to the lower reflective power of opaque marks M is more or less intercepted or momentarily eclipsed by saidopaque marks as they move past the photo-electric cell- 65.

While the unmarked parts of the web W between the indicating opaque marks M reflect the beam of light upon the photo-electric cell .65, said photo-electric cell remains inactive. However, when the beam is momentarily eclipsed or positioned on opposite sides of the travelling web W, and said marks M, in passing between the lamp and the photo-electric cell, allow the beam of light from the said lamp to penetrate through the travelling web and impinge upon the said photo-electric cell for the transmission of an electrical impulse. In either. of these cases, the electrical impulse, so transmitted, after passing through a suitable amplifying and relaying circuit "C, (which may be located as shown in Fig. 1) and through timing means T, under certain conditions energizes special electro-magnets, as hereinafter described, which'function to operate the infinitely variable adjustable coupling comprising the worm 51 and wor wheel 56 and associated parts to advance or r tard the feeding-rollers 28 and 29.

Fig. '7 shows a suitable amplifying circuit 65a and a relaying circuit 65b (said circuits being indicated generally by C) for modifying the impulses transmitted by' the photo-electric cell 65, but it is to be understood that this circuit C is shown by way of example only as other suitable circuits may also be employed for the purpose.

Fixed to the frame 54 is an insulating block or distributor stator 68, through the centre of which extends the shaft 34. The'shaft 34 projects outwardly from the face of the stator 68, and slidably and non-turnably fixed on said shaft, as by means of a key 69a, is an insulating arm or distributor rotor 69. Fixed detachably on the stator 68 by suitable clips or fastenings (not shown) is an insulating cover 10, which supports a terminal having electrically associated with it a springactuated brush 12. The brush 12 bears upon a metal strip 13 fixed in the rotor 69, and said metal strip is electrically connected with a springpressed brush 14, which is carried around by the rotor 69 and bears constantly upon the face of the stator 68. Mounted in said stator 68 are contact segments 15 and 16 (indicated by broken lines in Fig. 3) and shown by full lines in Fig. 7. The outer ends of the segments 15 and 16 are flush with the face of thestator 68, and the inner ends of said segments 15 and 16 are connected to terminals .11 and 18, respectively. The brush 14, in rotating,passes over the segments 15 and 16 and connects said segments one-at a time with the terminal 1| so that said terminal is accordingly connected alternatively to the terminals 11 and 18. I

The distributor having the stator 68 and coacting rotor 69 is of the type used for ignition purposes on internal combustion engines. For convenience of illustration, a wipe type of distributor has been selected, but it will be understood that .distributors having cams and spring contacts, or other distributing means or members may be used if preferred without restricting the ambit of this invention. The distributor described forms timing means T which co-act with the photo-electric cell 65 and constitute part of the system, hereinafter described, which maintains the inset web Win correct register.

Positioned on opposite sides ofthe'casing 55 and fixed respectively to the side frame 5 and the frame 54 are annular electro-magnets l9 and 88,'which are disposed concentrically about the shaft 34 and may be constructed in different ways without departing from the spirit of this invention. In one suitable form, each of said electromagnets comprises two discs 8| and 82 of iron or other highly permeable magnetic metal, which discs are spaced in parallel relation on opposite sides of an annular distance piece 83. The discs lar magnetic field is set up between the discs 8| and 82, and it extends across the inner channel 84.

Mounted on the outer ends of the hereinbefore described spindles 63.and 64 are discs 8'1, which are carried round by said spindles as the casing 55 rotates. The discs 81 are of iron, and portion of said discs is positioned within the inner'channel 84 of the electro-magnets l9 and 80, see Figs. 4 and 5. The discs 81 are of such diameter and thickness that their peripheries and sides are separated from the inner surface of the annular distance piece 83 and the inner sides of the iron discs 8| and 82 by short distances or air 'gaps 180. so that said discs do not contact with the sides or periphery of the channel 84 while they are moving in circular orbits about the axis of the shaft 34.

The discs 8'! move idly within the respective annular channels 84 until one of the electro-magnets T9 or 86 becomes energized, whereupon the annular magnetic field thereby set up will pull or drag upon the corresponding disc 81 and rotate the same together with the spindle 63 or 69 upon which said discs are mounted.

The spindle 63, upon being rotated, will revolve the worm 57 by means of the bevel gears 6i and 62. If the spindle 64 be turned in the same direction as that in which the spindle 63 was rotated, the worm 51 will also be revolved, but it will turn in the reverse direction.

As previously described, rotation of the worm in one direction will advance the feeding-rollers 28 and 29, while rotation of said worm in the opposite direction will retard said roller. Accordingly, it will be obvious that while the two discs 81 are moving in the same direction, if one of the electro-magnets I9 or 89 be energized the feeding-rollers 28 and 29 will be advanced, while if the other electro-magnet be rendered active said .the electro-magnets l9 and 80 may be formed completely of relatively short segments which may be energized to form annular magnetic fields of equal intensity at all parts of the circumferences of said electro-magnets.

In the case of certain low speed machines in which the delivered production does not necessitate extreme accuracy of register, the energize.- tion of the electro-magnets 19 and may be controlled manually, and the photo-electric cell 65, the exciting lamp 66, the optical device 67, and the amplifying and relay circuit C may be dispensed with. When so arranged for manual operation, the electro-magnets19 and 80 and the timing means T may be associated in electrical circuits controlled by hand operated switches 19a and 86a, as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 3.

In Figs. 9 and 10, there is shown modified automatic register governing means more particularly suitable for relatively low or moderate printing press speeds which may be less than 200 surface feet per minute, said governing means being also adaptable for application to and operation with cutting, assembling, or foldingmachines operating at comparatively low speeds in connection with rolled webs .of pre-printed, water mark, or perforated papers, or other materials in web form which are similarly marked at more or less regular intervals or spacings along the length of said webs.

The frames 5 and 54, hereinbefore described, carry solenoids 89, which are concentrically mounted on said frames at suitably spaced intervals and are fitted with plungers 90 of magnetic material. The windings of the solenoids 89 on' the frame 5 may be connected with the distributor terminal TI, while the windings of said solenoids on the frame 5tmay'likewise be connected with the distributor terminal 18. The windings of the solenoids 89 are thus connected at one end of their windings through the synchronous timing means, hereinbefore described, with the amplify- 5 ing circuit 550. and relaying circuit 65b of the photo-electric means 65, while the opposite end of their windings are also associated with said circuit. The spindles 63 and 66, in lieu of the iron discs 81, are provided with star wheels 9|, and a frame 94 alternative to the said casing 55 may be provided with cams 92 which are fixed to and project from the opposite sides of said frame.

Upon the solenoids 89 on either the frame 5 or the frame 54 becoming energized, the plungers 15 thereof are thrust outwardly into the concentric path of the corresponding star wheel 9|, which is thus rotated to turn the spindle 63 or 64 to rotate the worm 51 to either advance or retard the feeding-rollers 28 and 29 in the manner hereinbefore described.

The earns 92 are mounted on the casing 55 or frame 94 in such positions that they follow or trail behind the star wheel 9| that is positioned on the same side of said casing. When the solenoids 89 become de-magnetized after the adjustment of the feeding-rollers 28 and 29 has been effected, the cams 92 return the plungers 99 into their normal positions in said solenoids.

In some cases in which definite accuracy is not important or is not required, and wherein it is desirable to provide simple, reliable and inexpensive register correction means for low speeds, the solenoids 89 and timing means T may be dispensed with and the star wheels 9| may be actuated by plungers or spindles, such as 99, which are pushed into the concentric path of said star wheels by hand. Alternatively, similar hand-operation may be effected electrically by switches 89a and 89?), see Fig. 9, in which case the solenoids 69 are retained together with timing means NIH.

In Figs. 9 and 10, there is shown a modified structure or frame 94 which is alternative to the aforesaid casing 55 and is likewise adaptedto support the worm 51 and the parts co-acting therewith. In this modified structure for supporting the worm, a disc 93, having the sleeve 59 integrally formed with it and connected to the feeding-roller 28 as hereinbefore described 7 is loosely mounted on the shaft 36. To the disc 93 the worm bearing supports 59 are secured, and a bracket 96 is fixed to said disc and rotatably supports one end of the spindles 63 and 64, the opposite ends of said spindles being rotatably mounted in the disc 93. The bracket 94 is in tegrally formed with the sleeve 53, which as previously described is mounted in the frame 54. In some cases, the disc 93 may be fixed directly to the end of the feeding-roller 28 or to a shoulder or flange or other'extension thereof.

The web to be associated or inset with the main web or webs when these are being freshly printed in a rotary web press is pre-printed in said press, or in any other preferred manner, and may then be rewound onto a paper-roll spindle or reel bar 2. For the purpose of rewinding the pre-printed inset web (indicated by chain dotted lines in Fig. 11), the sideframes 4 and 5 may be provided with aligned slots 95, into which bearings 96 carrying the reel bar 2 are slidably fitted. The reel bar 2is then rotated by rollers 91 and 98 through spur gears 99, I00, I01, bevel gears I92 and H13, clutch elements I64 and I05 and shaft 73 rotary web press.

I96, which shaft forms an extension of the shaft 36 hereinbefore described.

Weights I01 slidably fitted in the slots 98 are carried by the bearings 96 and maintain even pressure on the reel bar 2 during the re-winding of the previously printed web, which then travels above and out of contact with the feeding-rollers 28 and 29 as shown in Fig. 1.

The positions occupied by the re-wound preprinted roll of paper web are indicated by broken lines in Figs. 1 and 11 in which are shown, respectively, the rewinding roll Ia and rewinding roll I and their approximate correlative locations.

The frames 4 and 5 are fixed and braced together in suitable manner, and they may be attached to or formed with the main frames of a Preferably, said frames are located in the vicinity of the assembling, associating, folding, cutting and delivery mechanism of the said press.

I will now describe the operation of my invention constructed as shown in Figs. 1 to 8 and Figs. 9 and 10. The inset web W is pre-set in correct register with the main web or webs being freshly printed in the rotary web press in such manner that the regularly spaced opaque or transparent register indication marks M (preferably made on the centre margin of the inset web W) are synchronized with the signatures of the main web or webs. Moreover,-in the preliminary adjustment of the inset web W, the said register indication marks M are so positioned, that in passing the photo-electric 'cell they will, if opaque, eclipse or obscure more or less the beam of light falling on said cell when the timing arm or distributor rotor 69, in rotating, occupies a neutral or non-contact position between the timing segments or contacts 15 and 16,see Fig. 7.

If the said indication marks N are transparent, as with perforations, or semi-transparent as with water marking, the light beam may penetrate the web W and impinge on the photo-electric cell 65 when the timing arm or distributor rotor 69 occupies its neutral position.

At the commencement of the insetting operation, the paper-roll I consisting of the re-wound pre-printed inset web W is of maximum diameter and the floating compensating tension roller I8 occupies its lowest position shown in Fig. 1.

When the rotary press is set in motion, the inset web W initially in correct register is drawn from the roll I by the inset feeding-rollers 28 and 29, which as previously described are positively driven by the press mechanism and'are synchronized with and have substantially the same surface velocity as the associating or former rollers, the printing, cutting and folding cylinders, and other parts of the press mechanism around or between which the inset W passes or contacts with. By means of the variable speed pulleys 43 and 4| and chain belt 42, the inset feeding-roller speeds may be precisely adjusted to conform with the main press printing cylinders which may have altered circumferentially. As

the linear speed of the inset web W is then identical with the said surfacevelocity the several guide rollers, the compensating tension roller I8, and the compensating roller 25 all have correlative peripheral speeds.

Accordingly, the motion of all of said printing cylinders and inset feed and guide rollers is perfectly synchronized. Moreover, the energizing of the photo-electric cell 65 by the obscured or the transmitted beam of light occurs at the instant that the timing arm 69, during each revolution, occupies its neutral position between the contacts 15 and 18. However, notwithstanding that the 5 photo-electric cell is so energized and that said photo-electric cell accordingly sets up an electricmotive force, no current can flowthrough the winding 86 of the electro-magnets 19 and 89, or the solenoids 89 if the latter be used) until such time as the timing arm 69 (or the brush 14) contacts with one of the contact segments 15 and 16.

I have found that when a pre-printed inset web W is drawn from a re-wound roll I having its paper-roll spindle (or reel bar) 2 governed by an 10 automatic brake constructed as hereinbefore described, erratic oscillative fluctuations of speed or alternative quickening and slowing of the inset web are prevented. However, I have also found that if the inset web has shrunk during preprinting or'since it was pre-printed, the previously mentioned phenomenon of natural backwardation is apt to occur when the inset web is unwound, while if the pre-printed web has become elongated or stretched natural forwardation will take place.

In the event of shrinkage of the inset web W,

, natural backwardation of said web commences and it starts to creep rearwardly with respect to the main webs. Now as the timing arm 69 is mounted on the shaft 34 and rotates with said shaft which is positively driven by the press mechanism, said timing arm wiliealways rotate in synchronism with the press cylinders and wi neither accelerate nor de-accelerate.

However, as natural backwardation of the inset web W sets in and it starts to fall behind the main webs, the passage of the marks M past the photo-electric cell 65'becomes more and more delayedand the successive energizations of said 40 photo-electric cell become later. At each successive energization of the cell, the arm 69 has approached closer to the contact segment 15 until an energization becomes coincident with the arrival of the timing arm 69 at said segment 15 and contact of the brush 14 on said arm with the segment. Immediately the brush 14 contacts with the segment 15, the electro-magnet 19 becomes enthe correct register of the inset web is restored,

the energizations of the photo-electric'cell 65 be- 60 come earlier until they again occur before the timing arm 69 arrives at the contact segment 16, whereupon the electro-magnet 19 ceases to be-' come energized.

In precisely the same way, if the insetweb W should have stretched and become advanced by natural forwardation, the energization of the photo-electric cell will take place gradually earlier until they occur when the timing arm 69 is making contact with the segment 16, hereupon the electro-magnet 89 or solenoids 8 will become energized to rotate the disc 81 (or the star wheel 9|) and the worm 51 in the opposite direction to retard the feeding-rollers 28 and 29.

It will be obvious that either one of the elec- -tro-magnets l9 and can be arranged to side of the worm 5'1, and will also depend upon I said worm having left-hand or right-hand threads.

As the inset web is advanced by the feedingrollers 28 and 29, as described, the part of said web between said rollers and the roll I is more or less suddenly shortened and the inset web would be apt to become torn or broken, were it not for the compensating action of the floating tension roller l8 and the brake shoes 6 and I. When the inset web is more or less suddenly advanced, the compensating tension roller i8 is elevated by the shortening of the loop between the guide rollers 26 and 21. As said roller l8 rises, it swings upwardly the arms I! and the cam roll [3, and said cam. roll by its contact with the arm l2 turns the brake lever 9 upon the pivot II and relieves the pressure of the brake shoes 6 and I on the brake drum 5a.

Similarly, when the inset web W is retarded by the feeding-rollers 28 and 29, the loop between the guide rollers 26 and Z1 is more or less suddenly slackened and elongated, thus causing the compensating tension roller l8 to descend. The descent of said roller lowers the arms IT and the cam r011 l3, and the latter swings the lever 9 upon the pivot l l to apply the brake shoes 6 and l more tightly upon the brake drum 5a. Too sudden movements of the compensating tension roller l8 and correspondingly rapid application of the brake shoes 6 and l to the brake drum 5a are prevented by the counterweight H, the plunger 23 and dashpot 24 as will be readily understood.

During the unwinding of the roll I, the compensating tension roller l8 rises notwithstanding.

the fluctuating movements of said roller caused by variations of web-tension set up by the advance and retard movements of the feedingrollers 28 and. 29. At the same time the length of the web W between said roll and the compensating roller 25 increases as thediameter of the roll l decreases. The length of the web W between the rollers 25 and 26 remains constant, but as the compensating roller l8 rises, the length of the web W extending between the guide rollers 26 and 21 and around the compensating roller shortens. There is accordingly a balancing of dimensional factors as betweemtheincrease in length of the web W between the roll and the roller 25, and the decrease in length of said loop of the web between the guide rollers 26 and 21. The balancing of these dimensional factors governs the register of the pre-printed or pre-marked indications of the web W and maintains said web in its correct pre-set position.

It will, therefore, be clear that the automatic brake, in addition to its functions of register governing in preventing erratic speed or oscillative fluctuations in the inset web W, co-acts with the automatically operative register correction means to maintain said inset web in correct register with the main webs being freshly printed in the rotary web press. The said register correction means comprises the photo-electric cell 65 and its associated circuit C, the timing means T including the insulated segments 15 and 16, the rotating timing arm 69, the electro-magnetsTQ and 80 and the discs 81 (or the alternative solenoids 89, plungers and star wheels 9|), the spindles 63-64, bevel pinions 6l62, and the infinitely variable or adjustable coupling consisting of the worm 51 and the worm wheel 56, 5 and associated parts.

Attention being directed more particularly to Figs. 9-10 of the drawings, the automatically 0perative register correction means when fitted with solenoids 89, plungers 90 and star wheels 9| operates mechanically to actuate the worm 51 to advance or retard the feeding-rollers 28 and 29 and therewith the inset web W, but otherwise said correction means functions similarly to the electro-magnetic type of register correction 15 means in conjunction with the photo-electric cell 65, said amplifying and relay circuits C and said timing means T to maintain precisely correct register of said pre-printed inset web, or similarly and/or otherwise marked webs of material.

The inset register and web-tension governing means and the co-acting register correction means herein described, although very simple and inexpensive in comparison with the types of web 25 register controlling apparatus hitherto suggested for, or in regular use with, rotary printing presses or like machines, nevertheless have many important advantages. They are, for instance, automatic in action and they have the great advantage of being positively actuated by and exactly synchronized with the printing cylinders and other mechanism of the rotary press including the inset web and they are solely dependent for their operation on the said press and inset 35 web and they are in no way connected with, driven or governed by motors or other driving means external to or functioning independently of the rotary press, or the inset web.

Moreover, the register and web-tension governing means and the co-acting register correction means may be applied to rotary printing presses already installed in a press room, and. they enable four, six or more supplementary coloured monotone or so-called plain pages to be 45 combined with the regular production of the presses. In many cases, the addition of said register and web-tension governing means and coacting register correction means will enable the installation of extra pressesin a printing plant 50 to be postponed, if not altogether avoided. Furconstruction and/or operation I have shown only 65 i one preferred type of automatic braking and/or web-tension governing means. In this invention, the said means are used in a manner not hitherto or previously designated or contemplated and herein are solely used with pre-printed and/or regularly spaced marked rolls of material in web form, more particularly with previously printed inset paper webs as hereinbefore described. The ambit of the invention therefore includes the use of any suitable braking and web- 75 tension means controllable automatically as and solely for the purposes herein described.

It will be readily understood that my combined automatic register governing and correction means hereinbefore described will function exactly with irreducible minimum of lost motion, time-lag, or slip in the web and/or associated co-operative parts, and that the action of the said combined automatic register governor gearing will be instantaneously co-operative in effecting and maintaining precisely accurate register correctiondn pre-printed inset webs or the like. Furthermore, the practical elimination of oscillative or erratic b'ackwardation or forwardation ensures that the automatic register correction means and associated interdependent automatic register governing and web-tension and automatic braking means shall operate with comparative infrequency and, therefore, to minimum extent. Freedom from wear and tear in the aforesaid associated and combined web-tension controlling and register governing and correction means, as a result of such relatively infrequent operation, will therefore be manifest and high operative efficiency will be correspondingly evident as an out come of the synchronized, co-active, and co-operative functions of this invention which habitually produces precise register in a pre-printed inset Web or in a second or subsequent printing of a partially printed Web and/or in similar, or-otherwise marked rolled webs of materials, substantially as described herein.

What I do claim is:

1. In an apparatus for controlling the feeding of a rolled web as an inset in a main web printed on another machine, including web feeding means designed to be synchronized with the operation of the machine handling the main web, electrically controlled means governed by the movement of the inset web' relative to the main web for controlling the rate of feeding of the inset web by the feeding means, a support for aroll con- .stituting a source of supply of the inset web, and

automatically compensating web tensioning means intermediate the roll and feeding means for controlling the supply from the roll in accordance with the controlled condition of the feeding means.

2. A construction as defined in claim 1, wherein the automatically compensating web tensioning means includes a brake for governing movement of the supply roll in accordance with the influence of the feeding means on the inset web.

3. A construction as defined in claim 1, wherein the automatically compensating web tensioning means includes a brake for governing the movement of thesupply roll, a floating rolleroperatively connected with the brake and engaging the web intermediate the roll and the feeding means, with said roller movably responding to a slackening of the web under a retarded feeding means or a tightening of the web under an advance feeding means for corresponding brake control.

4. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the delivery of an inset web to a main web controlled in a separate machine, the inset web .being provided with register indications, an automatic brake for controlling the delivery tension of the inset web, automatic electro-magnetically controlled feeding means for register connection coactive with the automatic brake and positively driven by and synchronized with the operative mechanism of the main web machine and adapted to advance and retard the moving inset or pretomatic brake for controlling the delivery tension of the inset web, automatic electro-magnetically controlled feeding means for register correction co-active with the automatic brake and positively driven by and synchronized with the operative mechanism of the main web machine and adapted to advance and retard the moving transmission of the modified electrical impulses to the electro-magnetically controlled register correction means to thereby govern the actions of said register correction means in advancing or retarding the inset web or the pro-printed web.

6. A construction as defined in claim 5, wherein the timing means comprises angularly spaced insulated contacts connected with the electromagnetically controlled register correction means and a rotary timing member positively and synchronously driven by the operative mechanism of the said machine and adapted in rotating to complete the circuit of the electrical impulses through said contacts to energize said electro-magnetically controlled register correction means, and wherein the rotary timing member occupies a non-contact or neutral position between the insulated contacts when the register indications pass the photo-electric detection means in correct pre-set position and completes said circuit through the forward insulated contact or through the rearward insulated contact accordingly as said register indications are respectively advanced or retarded from the pre-set position when passing said photo-electric detection means.

'7. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the delivery of an inset web to a main web controlled in a separate machine, the inset web being provided with register indications, an automatic brake for controlling the delivery tension of the inset web, a pair of intergeared feeding rollers co-active with the automatic brake and ers relatively tosaid operative mechanism, electro-magnetic means controlling the forward and backward adjustment of said driving connection, means for photo-electrically detecting displacement of the register indications from pre-set position during their movement and for transmit ting electrical impulses to the said electro-magnetic means when the displacement of said register indications exceeds a predetermined limit in a forward direction or in a backward direction, means for modifying the electrical impulses to enable said impulses to energize the electro magnetic means, and timing means positively driven by and synchronized with said operative mechanism and adapted to directionally control the transmission of the modified electrical impulses to the electro-magnetic means to govern the actions of said electro-magnetic means in forwardly or backwardly adjusting said driving connection.

8. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the delivery of an inset Web to a main web controlled in a separate machine, the inset web being provided with register indications, an automatic brake for controlling the delivery tension of the inset web, a pair of intergeared feeding rollers co-active with the automatic brake, a driving member operatively connected and synchronized with the operative mechanism of the said main web machine, an infinitely and oppositely adjustable coupling connecting one of the intergeared feeding rollers with the driving member and adapted by forward and rearward adjustment to advance or retard said intergeared rollers relatively to the driving member, electromagnetic means controlling the forward and backward adjustment of said coupling, a source of illumination adapted to direct a beam of light onto or through the moving web in the course of the register indications, photo-electric detection means positioned to intercept the beam of light after reflection from or transmission through the moving web and adapted on displacement of the moving register indications from pre-set position to send electrical impulses'to the electro-magnetic means, means for modifying the electrical impulses to enable said impulses to energize the electro-magnetic means, and timing means positively driven by said driving member and adapted to directionally control the transmission of the irnodified electrical impulses to the electro-mag- 'netic means to govern the actions of said electromagnetic means in forwardly or backwardly adjusting said infinitely and oppositely adjustable coupling.

9. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the delivery of an inset web to a main web controlled in a separate machine, the inset web having register indications, a driving shaft, positive power transmitting means connecting and synchronizing the driving shaft with the operative mechanism of the said main web machine, variable speed pre-setting means in said positive power transmitting means, a feeding roller rotatably mounted on the driving shaft, a structure rotatably mounted on the driving shaft and rigidly connected to the feeding roller, a secondfeeding roller co-acting with said feeding roller on the driving shaft, equal gears interconnecting the feeding rollers, a worm Wheel positioned within the structure and rigidly secured to the driving shaft, a Worm meshed with the worm wheel and carried by the structure, revoluble members operatively connected with the worm and rotatably mounted in the structure and extending on opposite sideS of said structure, electro-magnetic control means positioned on each side of the structure and adapted when separately energized to rotate the revoluble member-on the correspond- 5 ing side of said structure, a source of illumination adapted to direct a beam of light onto the moving web in the course of the register indications, photo-electric detection means positioned to intercept the beam of light after reflection from 10 or transmission through the moving web and adapted on displacement of the moving register indications from pre-set position to send electrical impulses to the electro-magnetic control means, means for modifying the electrical im- 15 pulses to enable said impulses to energize the electro-magnetic means, and timing means positively driven by the driving shaft and adapted to direct the modified electrical impulses to one electro-magnetic control means when the register indications are advanced from the pre-set position andto the other electro-magnetic control means when said indications are retarded in relation to the pre-set position.

10. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the delivery of an inset web to a main web controlled in a separate machine, the inset web having register indications, a driving shaft, power transmitting means positively and synchronously connecting the driving shaft with the operative mechanism of the said main web machine, variable speed pre-setting means in said power transmitting means, a feeding roller rotatably mounted on the driving shaft, a skeleton structure rotatably mounted on the driving shaft, and rigidly connected with the feeding roller, a second feeding roller co-acting with said feeding roller on the driving shaft, equal gears interconnecting the feeding rollers, a worm wheel positioned within the skeleton structure and rigidly secured to the 40 driving shaft, bearing supports within the skeleton structure, a worm meshed with the worm wheel, coaxially aligned shafts on opposite ends of the Worm, gears on the coaxially aligned shafts, a transverse shaft rotatably mounted in 45 said structure adjacently to each end of the worm, said shafts being respectively extended on opposite sides of the structure, gears on the transverse shafts meshed with the gears on the coaxially aligned shafts, electro-magnetic control 50 means fixed concentrically about the driving shaft in stationary positions on opposite sides of said structure, rotatable means on the extended ends of the transverse shafts adapted to be revolved by the electro-magnetic means to turn said transverse shafts, photo-electric scanning means adapted on displacement of the moving register indications from pre-set position to send electrical impulses to the electro-magnetic control means, means for modifying the electrical impulses, a stationary insulating block fixed concentrically about the driving shaft, a pair of angularly spaced conducting segments mounted in said block and connected respectively to the oppositely positioned electro-magnetic control I 11. A construction as defined in claim 10, wherein the electro-magnetic control means comprise annular peripherally-wound electro-magnets or segmental electro-magnets having anguprise solenoids disposed concentrically about the driving shaft in angularly spaced positions and provided with plungers of magnetic material which are protruded when the solenoids are energized and are thrust backwardly into said solenoids by cams fixed to the hollow or open structu're, and wherein the rotatable means on the transverse shafts consist of star wheels which are carried in a circular orbit about the axis'of the driving shaft and are adapted to contact with and be rotated by the plungers when said plungers are protruded from the solenoids.

13. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the delivery of an inset web to a main web controlled in a separate machine, means for advancing or retarding the moving web comprising a driving shaft positively connected and synchronized with the operative mechanism of the said machine; a feeding roller rotatably mounted on the driving shaft, a second feeding roller co-acting with said roller on the driving shaft, equal gears interconnecting the said feeding rollers, a

worm wheel rigidly fixed to the driving shaft, and

a worm meshed with the worm wheel and positively connected with the feeding roller on the driving shaft.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the worm and worm wheel are of self-locking type and form a driving connection between the driving shaft and the feeding roller on said shaft,

and wherein the worm on being rotated in either direction climbs around the periphery of the worm wheel and rotates the feeding roller upon the driving shaft and advances or retards said feeding roller and the coacting feeding roller relatively to said driving shaft and to said operative mechanism accordingly as the worm climbs forwardly or backwardly around the worm wheel relatively to the direction of rotation of said open structure rotatably mounted on the driving shaft and rigidly connected with the feeding roller, a second feeding roller co-acting with the feeding roller on the driving shaft, equal gears interconnecting said feeding rollers, a worm wheel fixed securely to the driving shaft and positioned within the hollow or open structure,

bearing supports within said structure, a worm journaled in the bearing supports and meshed with the worm wheel, gears on the opposite ends of the worm, a transverse shaft rotatably mounted in the hollow or open structure adjacently to one end of the Worm and extended on one side of the structure, a transverse shaft rotatably mounted in said structure adjacently to the other end of said worm and extended on the opposite side of the structure, gears fixed to the trans- 3 

